With Hearts of Flame (Deluxe Limited Edition): A Dark Academia Romantasy Novel of Vampires and Dragons Featuring Stenciled Edges and Illustrated Endpapers (Bloodwing Academy, 4)
Briar Boleyn
The Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore and Bar (Sam Quinn Book 1)
by Seana Kelly
About this book
A “master class in storytelling and survival.” —Publisher’s Weekly (starred review)
Welcome to The Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore and Bar. I’m Sam Quinn, the werewolf book nerd in charge. I run my business by one simple rule: Everyone needs a good book and a stiff drink, be they vampire, wicche, demon, or fae. No wolves, though. Ever. I have my reasons.
I serve the supernatural community of San Francisco. We’ve been having some problems lately. Okay, I’m the one with the problems. The broken body of a female werewolf washed up on my doorstep. What makes sweat pool at the base of my spine, though, is realizing the scars she bears are identical to the ones I conceal. After hiding for years, I’ve been found.
A protection I’ve been relying on is gone. While my wolf traits are strengthening steadily, the loss also left my mind vulnerable to attack. Someone is ensnaring me in horrifying visions intended to kill. Clive, the sexy vampire Master of the City, has figured out how to pull me out, designating himself my personal bodyguard. He’s grumpy about it, but that kiss is telling a different story. A change is taking place. It has to. The bookish bartender must become the fledgling badass.
I’m a survivor. I’ll fight fang and claw to protect myself and the ones I love. And let’s face it, they have it coming.
The reviews are in:
"Kelly (Welcome Home, Katie Gallagher) introduces fierce, lovable heroine Sam Quinn with this master class in storytelling and survival. Seven years ago, Sam was attacked, raped, and forcibly turned into a werewolf, putting an end to her life as she knew it. She’s since made a home for herself in San Francisco, opening a combination bookstore/bar catering exclusively to the supernatural community. A loner by nature and still contending with her trauma, she’s content to lie low without a wolf pack of her own. But when dead bodies begin piling up across the city and Sam receives a threat from an unknown source, she finds herself surrounded by a phalanx of friends she never realized she had. Among them is Clive, the leader of the city’s vampire community, whose good looks attract Sam “like a zombie to brains.” Kelly pulls off an impressive feat, weaving the sensitively handled story of Sam’s emotional recovery through a rollicking adventure. The unique setting and endearingly quirky side characters only add to the charm. Readers will delight in both the humor and the heartache of this powerful urban fantasy, and they’ll be eager to see where Sam goes next.” (Publisher’s Weekly (starred review))
"This action-packed paranormal series launch will appeal to readers who enjoy a plot-driven, female-centric journey of growth with a side of romance. Great for fans of Patricia Briggs’s Alpha and Omega series.” (Book Life (Editor’s pick))
- Publication Date
- May 25, 2026
- ASIN
- B089973N41
Reader Reviews
February 7, 2021
Having read many urban fantasy novels I feel this one is unique in its own way. The heroine is an assault survivor, a young, smart and strong person with scars, physical and mental. This is not just a back story, however. We see her potential and the way her trauma cripples her. During the book she starts to see this as well and makes progress healing, realising her own strength and building her self esteem. Those experiences are central to the book and are handled well, while maybe the speed...
December 18, 2020
Really enjoyed this book. Lots of action. The female lead has been through a LOT, & there is more coming. She isn't even sure who/what she is...But she just keeps on going determined to find out who is after her & why. There are a host of supporting paranormal characters in this, including a very handsome vamp. There could have been a little more character development, but it did leave me looking at how to pre-order the next book. Looking forward to more! ) 3 people found this helpful
February 19, 2025
I absolutely loved the FMC. She has had a lot of different types of abuse happen to her, but instead of being a constant sobering mess or the opposite an obnoxiously \"I can do everything I want, no scary can hold me down\". We have a realistic strong person that har experienced abuse. She has made a new life for herself, and the scars left has made their mark emotionally and physically, but she is constantly working with herself to, move on and make a good life for herself. It is so incredibly...
February 23, 2021
I don’t know who this author is or where they came from, but she just became one of the few who I am willing to trust will write a good story and preorder books from. You need to read this book, it was awesome. Great story, great characters. I don’t want to give anything away so I will just say I was hooked and read the book in one day (staying up late reading long past bedtime to know what happens lol). The characters were very likable and even not having been through the main characters...
October 23, 2020
This is a new author and series and was a damn good read. I actualy downloaded the sample, and found myself purchasing the book after reading the chapter headings in the table of contents. I was not disappointed. This is not a perfect book. Pacing is an issue. Characture development errs on both sides of adequate. Some chapters feel as if they have been sacrificed in the name of action. This story was engaging enough to have me preorder the next book. Sometimes the sinceirest form of appause is...
